Jackson missed his entire rookie season after a preseason knee injury.[3] He suffered another knee injury in the 1978 preseason, but he still appeared in 14 games that season.[4][5] He was a regular starter for Cleveland in 1980 and 1981, starting 14 games in each season.[5] In 1981, Cincinnati head coach Forrest Gregg referred to Jackson as the dirtiest player in the NFL.[1]

In April 1982, Jackson was traded to the Denver Broncos, but he was waived before the regular season. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons that September.[1] Jackson's career concluded that year with five appearances for the Falcons.[5]